As part of his pursuit of a holistic, integrated life, Stephan spent much of his non-writing time in hands-on pursuits such as gardening, drawing, woodcarving and playing music.

Art, craft and nature played central roles in Stephan’s world.

A deep involvement in the cultivation and use of medicinal herbs led him to become a respected healer and then to enroll in medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, although illness prevented him from completing his degree. 

He also became a jeweler, partnering with Jon Prendergast to create and run Óró Jewelry, a small workshop that featured a collection of original cast-silver designs. 

Their efforts, they noted, sought to “reflect the great cultural treasure trove that surrounds us here in Ireland, from the megalithic art of the Stone Age to the exquisite complexity of the Book of Kells and the magnificent blending of Scandinavian and Irish art produced here during the Viking Age.” 

They created dozens of pieces over the years, drawing on historical sources that included Stone Age monuments, scabbards, wood carvings, stone and reed crosses, triskelions, penannular brooches, and the Book of Kells. Their work was known for its quality and historical accuracy.

Rune: Kenaz